Improvement in fare-registers



J. W. MEAKER.

Fare-Register.

.No. 222,522. Patented Dec. 9,1879.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

JOHN W. MEAKER, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN FARE-REGISTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 222,522, dated December 9, 1879; application filed August 25, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN W. MEAKER, of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Registers and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanyin g drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

The invention herein described relates to the class of counting and signaling registers. It is herein illustrated as applied to a coinholding and change-making apparatus,in form adapted to be carried by a street-car conductor, the whole apparatus, as shown, constituting a combined change-making, coin-holding, and counting and signaling register.

The invention consists in the improvements hereinafter set forth, relating to the counting and indicating apparatus exclusively.

.From the fact that the registers now employed to indicate the receipt of fares on streetrailways are usually carried on the person of the conductor, it is desirable that such register shall occupy as little space and shall weigh as little as practicable. This is particularly the case when it is combined with a coin-holder, which is of itself necessarily bulky and heavy. For the purpose of taking little space, streetrailway registers are usually provided with disks which bear numeral figures on their faces, and which are rotated by the conductor at the time of taking each fare, so as to suecessively expose to view, through an aperture in the case, the succeeding figures on the disk or disks, and thus indicate the whole number of fares received. It is an objection to these machines that they are complicated and delicate in construction, and therefore expensive to make and very liable to get out of order. Among the objects of my invention I seek to greatly simplify the construction, to display larger numerals without increasing the size of the case, and to exclude the dust from the mechanism of a combined indicating and signaling register, while afl'ording free escape of sound from the inclosed bell. Other purposes will be disclosed in the progress of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is an external front view of a combined changemakiug coin-holder and indicating and signalin g register. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same through the line 00 0c of Fig. 1, intended to show the arrangement of the coinholding tubes and register devices, by which space is economized, and at the same time a symmetrical exterioris given to the case. Fig. 3 is an elevation of the registering and signaling mechanism detached. Fig. at is a horizontal section of the detached mechanism through the line y y of Fig. 3. Figs. 5, 6, 7, S, and 9 are detail news.

A is a metallic case, adapted in any suitable manner to be opened, and also to be securely closed against the-person who carries it. A A represent a series of vertical tubes of different sizes, intended each to receive one of the several denominations of coins in common use. Each tube is provided with a peculiar gate at the bottom thereof, operated by one of the external keys, J, by which a single coin may be removed from the lower end of the tube at pleasure. The case A extends below the tubes to form a common chamber, K, into which they all discharge. This chamber has asingle outlet, Gr, beneath which the hand is held to receive the coin or coins discharged when the keys J are depressed by the thumb.

As it is not intended to herein claim the coin-holding and changemaking devices by themselves, since they form the subject-matter of other patents, no extended description will be here given of them, but only of their rela tive arrangement of the coin-holdin g tubes in the same case with the register, which forms the subject of one of the present claims.

In Fig. 2 is shown, in horizontal section, a case or box containing a number of vertical tubes, the largest of which is intended to receive half-dollar coins and the smallest fivecent nickel coins; or, if desired, other small coins may be provided for, as indicated in dotted lines. The desired economy of space is eifected by placing the tubes for the smaller coins by themselves, with their rear surfaces substantially in line near one wall of the case, whereby, in an externally symmetrical case, the vacant space within the case is in great measure massed or brought together into a position where it may be made available for the accommodation of the register and bell,

as shown in the drawings, in which G is a rectangular metallic frame, which supports a registerin g mechanism proper, and affords attachment thereof to the case A ;.and G is a metal. case, which similarly supports and ineloses the bell B.

By arranging the tubes for smaller coins near each other, as represented in the draw in gs, space is afforded in front of them for these parts without enlarging the case A greatly beyond the diameter of the half-dollar tube.

The case A is shown herein to be thicker than is necessary, by reason of the extension of the shaft S (which operates the register) to both ends of the case.

That extension shown on the side of the halfdollar tube may be dispensed with, and the bell-case 0 may be made shallower than indicated, so as to bring the whole within still narrower limits. I

In the register herein described and claimed I seek to obtain the advantage of large indicating-figures without the complicated mechanism required in the use of disks bearin g such figures on their fiat faces, and in much less space than is'required in the use of disks bearing such figures on their periphery. For this purpose I employ chains having fiat links, to which the figures are applied, each chain havin g ten links, which successively bear the series of numerals from 0 to 9, inclusive. The chains are arranged side by side, and are connected in such manner as to be advanced, each one link at a time, and in other respects as will be explained, so as to indicate at a fixed point the arithmetical order of numbers from 1 upward to any required number, according to the number of chains used.

In the drawings, E represents the chain carrying units, E that carrying tons, and so on for other chains that might be shown at the left of these. The chains are supported by the drums D D D D, mounted on parallel shafts in the frame 0. These drums have the marginal notches 0 0, which receive the projecting ends of the hinge-pins t'. The upper drums, D D, simply hold the chains taut, and therefore rotate freely on their shaft S. The lower drums, D and D, turn on the fixed hollow shaft T, within which rotates the drivingshaft S. The drum D, which carries the unitchain, is rotated by means of a dog, (I, setinto a' recess in the shaft S, and thrown inward to engage the radial notches n upon the end of the drum by means of the springs. (Shown in Fig. 4.) The hollow shaft T is cut away, as seen in Fig. 5, to permit the dog, in turning the shaft, to rotate far enough to carry the chain forward one link or one-tenth of its length. If preferred, a special stoppin, 2, may beapplied to the shaftforthis purpose, in order to prevent any excessive strain upon the dog.

The drum is also provided with a dog, 0, thrown inward by the spring 8, as shown in Fig. 4, to engage a circumferential ratchet, 4', on the hollow shaft T. (More clearly seen in Fig. 5.) The object of this ratchet and dog is to prevent the drum from turning backward. The drum is held longitudinallyin place upon the shaft T by ascrew, 10, Fig. 4, which projects into an annular groove, '0, in said shaft.

L is a plate rigidly secured to the frame 0, the vertical extremity of which lies close to the drum in the position shown in Figs. 3, 7, and 9. The dog (I enters the notch n of the drum D above this plate, and during its throw is held by the plate within said notch. As the drum can only rotate forward, as already explained, the dog (I cannot escape or be withdrawn from the notch at until it has passed the plate L. The plate is made of such width that the dog is freed only at the end of the stroke, or when the chain E has been advanced one full link. Vhen the stroke is completed, the dog, being suitably beveled, as shown, slides behind and returns on the other side of the plate L, as seen in Fig. 9. The shaft is rotated to throw the dog forward by means of the thumb-wheel H, outside the case A, and is returned to engage the next notch in position for another throw by means of the spring S. (Seen in Fig. 4.)

The tens-chain E requires to be advanced one link for every complete revolution of the unit-chain E. For this purpose the drum D is provided with notches or shoulders a, corresponding with those marked a in the drum D, already described. A dog, (1, is also pivoted in the shaft S, in proper position to engage said notches; but the sprin 8, Fig. 4, applied to the dog d, is arranged to hold the dog out of engagement instead of in, as in the case of the dog at of the first drum. The engagement of the dog with the shoulders n is effected at the proper time by means of the spring-j", secured to one link of the unit-chain, which spring throws the dog d into engagement with one ofthe notches a, and thus causes both drums and both chains to advance simultaneously one link or movement, and only one of the trn made in once revolving the unitchain.

By locating the springf at the proper point in the unit-chain the tens-chain is advanced to bring one of its figures into view simultaneously with the 0 of the unit chain. Thus, in Fig. 3 the register is arranged to read 47. The spring fwill, on the second turn of the shaft S, throw the dog d into engagement with the shoulder n, and 011 the third, or when the unit 9 is opposite the ten 4-, will advance both chains and bring 50 into view. In the return of the shaft from this stroke the dog d escapes from beneath the spring f, and does not again engage the drum D until the unitchain has made a circuit, when 60 will be similarl y brought into view after 59.

The drum 1) has the dog 0 and spring 8, corresponding with c and s of the drum D, which engage the ratcheted tube T, to prevent the drum from turning backward, and it is correspondingly held longitudinally in place by the screw '10, workin gin the annular groove 0.

Obviously, any desired number of chains may be in this manner arranged and operated side by side, so as to indicate very high numbers through the aperture of the case A opposite which the register is placed.

Ifnecessary, a bridge-plate, It, may be placed centrally beneath the chains, in position to support the same close to the apertures through which the numbers are revealed.

I place the bellB in a separate case, 0, which, when the register is in place within the main case A, rests at its edges against the latter, so as to form a distinct compartment, cut off from the general interior of the said main case. The latter is perforated at O, or directly in front at the bell, in order to permit free escape of sound from the bell when struck. Such openings necessarily admit dust, and it is to exclude this from the mechanism of the register that the case 0 is provided, as described. The side of the frame 0 contiguous to the bell forms a complete septum, dividing the bell-chamber from the mechanism.

In Fig. 3 I have shown the striker h, attached to the arm a, as passing through the septum, and as having a packing, p, of rubber, which rests against the septum and wholly closes the passage except in the brief act of striking.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a preferred construction, in which. the striker IL is connected with the arm a by means of a short shaft or shank of uniform diameter, which works through the septum in striking, and there fore never opens a space therein. The cushion or packing p, which may be asection of small rubber tubing, effectually excludes dust from the registering mechanism should the shankpassage be large.

The bell-arm, pivoted to the bridge It, is operated by the notches n of the drum D, and, as a consequence, the signal will be simultaneous with each movement of the register.

The aperture through which the registerfigures are revealed is protected by a glass, 9, Fig. 2, which is held in place by the outer bezel, b, and the inner apertured sheet of muslin or similar flexible-material, c. This sheet is provided with the necessary opening or openings for the proper display of the figures, and is tirmly glued to the glass, and also to the inner surface of the case A, upon which it overlaps. The object of this construction of what may be called the dial is to secure the mechanism from injury from fragments of glass, should the same be broken, the effect of the muslin so secured being to hold the fragments-still in place, at least temporarily, so as not to interrupt the working or use of the register.

The frame 0, with the attached bell and its case, are removably secured in the case A by means of the projection N, which slips under an appropriate lip fastened to the case-front, and the slotted projection M, which drops over a lug or staple, through which a pin is thrust.

It is obvious that by means of endless chains having broad-faced links, as shown, combined with the small drums described, much larger figures may be exhibited than is possible in the same space in the use of peripherally-figured cylinders.

Instead of the ten-linked metal chain described, an endless tape or belt maybe employed, if preferred, in combination with mechanism that will advance the belt positively one-tenth of its length at each movement. In this case the figures may be printed directly on the belt.

I am aware that tapes or bands having figures printed thereon have been used heretofore in perpetual calendars; but such bands have not been endless and so connected as to move a definite part of their length by combination with positive mechanism for the purpose. Usually, when combined with rollers,

such bands have been secured at their ends to the several rollers upon which the principal part of the band is alternately wound.

As a means of advancing such a tape or other flexible endless belt not composed'of hinged metal links, I suggest the perforation of the belt at ten equal intervals, and setting short pins on the drums described in position to enter the holes in the belt. It the beltis of tape, eyelets may be set in said holes to give the requisite durability. Flexible metal endless bands may plainly be thus employed. These alternative devices are to be understood as being the equivalents of the chains described, when applied and operated as set forth.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A portable fare-register composed of two or more chains or belts, placed side by side, each chain whereof is, as to its length, divided into ten equal spaces, and said spaces i11- scribed in numerical order with the nine digits and cipher, combined with automatic mechanism, whereby each revolution of one chain communicates to the next adjacent chain in an ascending series a movement equal to onetenth part of its length, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, in a counting-register, of an endless chain or belt, E, drum 1), hollow shaft T, and driving-shaft S, said shaft being provided with the dog (1, arranged to engage with the drum, as described, and the drum being provided with the dog 0, arranged to engage the ratcheted surface of the hollow shaft T, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

3. In a closed counting-register, the dial I, composed of the glass g and apertured and flexible sheet 0, secured to the glass and also to the register-case, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my in vent-ion I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN W. MEAKER.

\Vitnesses:

M. E. DAYTON, JEssE Cox, Jr. 

